Bossier residents cast their votes on Saturday March 29

Randy Brown, Bossier Press-Tribune

Bossier City and Bossier Parish residents went to the polls to cast their votes on Saturday March 29. In the Bossier City municipal primary elections, several city council races and three propositions were on the ballot. In Bossier Parish, there were two property tax millage renewals on the ballot (one for the Town of Benton and one for Northeast Bossier Parish Fire Protection District No.5). Also, the Town of Plain Dealing filled a seat on the town council, as former mayor Sharonda Gay was unopposed for the District 1 Alderman seat.

Statewide, four constitutional amendments were on the ballot. Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day with early voting taking place March 15 through March 22. Residents were urged to participate in shaping the future of Bossier City and the state of Louisiana by casting their votes on the city council races, the three propositions and the four statewide constitutional amendments.

Bossier City Council Races
In Bossier City, voters decided on representatives for Districts 2, 3, and 5, along with two at-large council positions. In District 1, incumbent Brian Hammons was re-elected unopposed. Newcomer Joel Girouard will succeed Jeff Free in District 4, as Free opted not to seek re-election and Girourard was unopposed. Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler, elected in the 2021 Bossier City municipal elections, was also re-elected unopposed.

City Propositions
In addition to electing council members, Bossier City residents also voted on three propositions concerning local governance and city operations. Proposition 1 dealt with changes to the Bossier City Charter, Proposition 2 addressed city council terms limits and Proposition 3 dealt with mayoral term limits.

Statewide Constitutional Amendments
Louisiana voters also voted on four proposed amendments to the state constitution:​
Amendment 1: Proposed granting the Louisiana Supreme Court jurisdiction to discipline out-of-state lawyers for unethical practices and allows the legislature to establish trial courts with specialized jurisdictions. ​
Amendment 2: Sought to implement comprehensive changes to the state’s fiscal policies, including tax structures and government spending regulations. ​
Amendment 3: Aimed to modify the process by which minors aged 14 to 16 can be charged as adults for certain crimes, potentially expanding the list of offenses eligible for adult prosecution. ​
Amendment 4: Proposed adjusting the timeline for filling judicial vacancies, requiring special elections to be scheduled at the earliest available date to reduce the need for prolonged interim appointments.

Saturday’s unofficial election results are as follows:
Bossier City Council District 2 –
Debra W. Ross (D) – 69%
Jeff Darby (I) – 31%
Unofficial Turnout: 13.4%

Bossier City Council District 3 –
Cliff Smith (R) – 62%
Donzell Hughes (D) – 38%
Unofficial Turnout: 18.9%

Bossier City Council District 5 –
Vince Maggio (R) – 51%
Ruth Pope Johnston (R) – 49%
Unofficial Turnout: 23.1%

Bossier City Council At-Large (Two to be elected) –
Chris Smith (R) – 37%
Craton Cochran (R) – 34%
Lee A. “Gunny” Jeter (D) – 28%
Unofficial Turnout: 13.7%

The new term for Bossier City elected officials will begin on July 1, 2025.

Bossier City Proposition #1 (Charter Changes)
No – 55%
Yes – 45%
Unofficial Turnout: 19.1%

Bossier City Proposition #2 (City Council Term Limits)
Yes – 53%
No – 47%
Unofficial Turnout: 19.8%

Bossier City Proposition #3 (Mayor Term Limits)
Yes – 57%
No – 43%
Unofficial Turnout: 19.9%

Town of Benton – 4.90 Mills Renewal – M&BOA – 10 Years
No – 51%
Yes – 49%
Unofficial Turnout: 14.8%

Northeast Bossier Parish Fire Protection District No. 5 – 27.50 Mills – BOC – 10 Years
Yes – 56%
No – 44%
Unofficial Turnout: 18.6%

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment 1 – To provide for disciplinary proceedings over attorneys and to create courts of limited jurisdiction:
Bossier Parish Statewide
Yes – 54% No – 65%
No – 46% Yes – 35%

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment 2 – To provide with respect to the power of taxation including limitations thereon:
Bossier Parish Statewide
Yes – 56% No – 65%
No – 44% Yes – 35%

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment #3 – To provide relative to crimes committed by juveniles and to special juvenile proceedings:
Bossier Parish Statewide
Yes – 50% No – 66%
No – 50% Yes – 34%

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment #4 – To provide for election dates for newly-created judgeships or vacancies in office of judge:
Bossier Parish Statewide
Yes – 55% No – 64%
No – 45% Yes – 36%